3/10/2010 05:00:00 AM
Whenever I meet someone who finds out that I work on the directions team for Google Maps, the first question I'm asked is often "So when's Google Maps going to add biking directions?" We're big biking fans too, so we've been itching to give you a concrete answer. I don't want to keep the good news a secret any longer, so the answer is: right now!

I tried it, and sure enough, directions from Los Gatos to Sausalito, although that isn't the route that most road cyclists would use.

A route from Google maps can easily be seen on Google Earth, and these are very easy to download into a Garmin 705. Alternatively, iPhone wielding stokers could get bicycling directions on the fly.

Last edited by Ritterview; 03-10-10 at 04:23 PM.
Reason: Improve link to route at Google maps

Just gave it a quick try, while not the route I would choose it would work. I do not know how you would read the 42 course directions it gave me for my 14 mile commute. I did not see a way to transfer the route into the Garmin.

Experimented with a route I've refined through the course of the winter. Google found a "trail" kind-of parallel to my route, and every time I tried to drag it off, there was a different part of the route bouncing back. Said trail is covered in 3-6" of snow, just now, even though the roads have been dry for the better part of a week. When it thaws it will be mostly dirt with some wood-chip "improvements". A simple check-box that says "avoid unpaved routes" would help.

They need to revamp their algorythm. There is too much weight given to bike lanes. Like it will have me deviate to another road for 2 blocks, because it has a bike lane. I do like that is has included bike paths and MUPs.

Have Googled routes for car trips and twice sent me on a real will goose chase.
I still rely on real state maps when we travel.
Technology can be an aide, but is not foolproof . . . yet.
Just our experience.
R & K/zonatandem